Devo discography explained

Artist:Devo
Studio:9
Live:10
Compilation:16
Video:9
Ep:10
Singles:25
Soundtrack:1

The discography of Devo, an American new wave band formed in 1973, consists of 25 singles and 9 studio albums. Devo was founded by Gerald Casale, Bob Lewis and Mark Mothersbaugh. Devo currently consists of brothers Mark Mothersbaugh (synthesizers, guitar, lead vocals) and Bob Mothersbaugh (lead guitar, lead and backing vocals), Gerald Casale (bass guitar, keyboards, lead and backing vocals), Josh Hager (rhythm guitar, keyboards) and Josh Freese (drums). The band rose to prominence in the US during the new wave era with their single "Whip It". The band have released nine studio albums, ten extended plays, fourteen compilation albums, ten live albums, one soundtrack album and twenty-five singles.

Before signing a record contract with Warner Bros. in the US, the band released several singles on the independent Stiff Records label that charted in the UK. Devo followed up with their debut full-length album Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo! in July 1978. The album reached No. 12 in the UK and No. 78 in the US. In 1980, Devo released Freedom of Choice, which went Platinum in the US and Gold in Canada, making it their highest selling album. Their 1981 follow-up, New Traditionalists, peaked at No. 23 on the American charts and was their final album to chart in the UK. Devo's chart success slowly fell throughout the decade until they released their apparently final studio album, Smooth Noodle Maps, in 1990; it failed to chart in either the US or the UK.

In 1996, Devo released a multimedia CD-ROM adventure game, Devo Presents Adventures of the Smart Patrol, through Inscape. Members of Devo also began recording together under different aliases, including the surf rock-influenced the Wipeouters and Jihad Jerry & the Evildoers. From 1990 through 2009, no new albums under the Devo name were released. However, a new single, "Watch Us Work It", was released as a digital download in 2007 and as part of a 12-inch EP in 2008. A new studio album, Something for Everybody, was released on June 15, 2010.

A tribute album to Devo, entitled We Are Not Devo, was released by Centipede Records in 1997 and featured various artists—including the Aquabats, Voodoo Glow Skulls and the Vandals—covering some of the band's songs.[1]

Albums

Studio albums

YearTitlePeak chart positionsCertifications
US
[2]
AUS
CAN
[3]
NZ
[4]
UK
[5] [6]
1978Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo! 7857712
1979Duty Now for the Future
  • Released: July 1979
  • Label: Warner Bros.
  • Formats: CD, cassette, vinyl, 8-track tape
7351871349
1980Freedom of Choice
  • Released: May 1980
  • Label: Warner Bros.
  • Formats: CD, cassette, vinyl, 8-track tape
22575947
  • RIAA: Platinum
  • MC: Gold[9]
1981New Traditionalists
  • Released: August 1981
  • Label: Warner Bros.
  • Formats: CD, cassette, vinyl, 8-track tape
23332650
1982Oh, No! It's Devo
  • Released: October 1982
  • Label: Warner Bros.
  • Formats: CD, vinyl, 8-track tape
475710
1984Shout
  • Released: October 1984
  • Label: Warner Bros.
  • Formats: CD, cassette, vinyl
8392
1988Total Devo
  • Released: May 1988
  • Label: Enigma
  • Formats: CD, cassette, vinyl, DAT
189
1990Smooth Noodle Maps
  • Released: June 1990
  • Label: Enigma
  • Formats: CD, cassette, vinyl, DAT
2010Something for Everybody
  • Released: June 15, 2010
  • Label: Warner Bros.
  • Formats: CD, vinyl, digital
30164
[10]
"—" denotes releases that did not chart.

Live albums

YearTitleNotes
1981DEV-O Live
  • Released: 1981
  • Label: Warner Bros.
1989
  • Released: 1989
  • Label: Enigma
  • Live 1988
1992
  • Released: October 1992
  • Label: Rykodisc
2005Devo Live 1980
  • Released: July 12, 2005
  • Label: Target Video
  • DualDisc containing both audio and video performance.
Live in Central Park
  • Released: July 26, 2005
  • Label: DiscLive
2012Live 1981 Seattle
  • Released: April 21, 2012[11]
  • Label: Booji Boy
2014Live at Max's Kansas City - November 15, 1977
  • Released: April 19, 2014[13]
  • Label: Jackpot
2014Butch Devo and the Sundance Gig
  • Released: April 19, 2014[14]
  • Label: MVD
2014Miracle Witness Hour
  • Released: November 17, 2014
  • Label: Futurismo
2015Hardcore Devo Live!
  • Released: February 24, 2015
  • Label: MVD

Compilation albums

YearTitleNotes
1987E-Z Listening Disc
  • Released: 1987
  • Label: Rykodisc
  • Compiles all but one of the tracks from Devo's two E-Z Listening Muzak Cassettes, which had been available only through Club Devo in 1981 and 1984, respectively, consisting of instrumental versions of classic Devo songs performed in the style of easy listening Muzak or new-age music.
1990
  • Released: August 17, 1990
  • Label: Rykodisc
  • Basement demo recordings from 1974–1977.
Devo's Greatest Hits
  • Released: December 1990
  • Label: Warner Bros.
Devo's Greatest Misses
  • Released: December 1990
  • Label: Warner Bros.
1991
  • Released: August 23, 1991
  • Label: Rykodisc
  • More basement demo recordings from 1974–1977.
1993
  • Released: 1993
  • Label: Virgin
1998Greatest Hits
  • Released: November 3, 1998
  • Label: Discover
  • Budget compilation.
2000
  • Released: May 9, 2000
  • Label: Rhino/Warner Bros. Archives
  • Two-disc set spanning Devo's entire career. Contains 17 previously unreleased tracks.
Recombo DNA
  • Released: 2000
  • Label: Rhino Handmade
  • Limited edition two-disc set of previously unreleased material including demos, alternate mixes, live tracks and outtakes.
2002The Essentials
  • Released: April 2, 2002
  • Label: Rhino
  • Budget compilation.
2003Whip It & Other Hits
  • Released: October 10, 2003
  • Label: Rhino
  • Budget compilation.
2013Something Else for Everybody
  • Released: July 23, 2013
  • Label: Warner Bros.
  • A digital collection of 11 tracks from the Something for Everybody sessions that didn't make the album. Released on CD by Booji Boy Records on May 20, 2014.
2015Social Fools: The Virgin Singles 1978–1982
  • Released: October 23, 2015
  • Label: Virgin
  • A compilation of all the singles released in the UK by Virgin Records
2016E-Z Listening Muzak
  • Released: 2016
  • Label: Futurismo
  • Re-release of the E-Z Listening Disc CD with the omitted cassette track, and new recording of "Human Rocket"
2023Art Devo 1973–1977[15]
  • Released: September 2023
  • Collection of rarities from their early years
50 Years of De-Evolution 1973–2023
  • Released: October 2023
  • Collection of hits and rarities

Box sets

YearTitleNotes
2008This Is the Devo Box
  • Released: July 23, 2008
  • Label: Warner Music Life
  • Fully remastered CD box set of Devo's Warner Brothers releases (including DEV-O Live) in miniature LP sleeve replicas. Available only in Japan. A vinyl version (minus DEV-O Live and the "Working in the Coal Mine" 7-inch) was released in the US for Record Store Day 2019.
2009The Ultra DEVO-lux Ltd. Edition
  • Released: December 23, 2009
  • Label: Warner Bros.

Extended plays

YearTitlePeak chart positionsNotes
US
AUS
NZ
UK
[16]
1977B Stiff EP
  • Label: Stiff
  • Formats: Vinyl
  • Compiles the first three Devo singles released on Stiff Records.
1978Mechanical Man EP
  • Label: Elevator
  • Formats: Vinyl
1981DEV-O Live
  • Label: Warner Bros.
  • Formats: CD, vinyl
50114
  • Live EP from the Freedom of Choice tour
1983Theme from Doctor Detroit
  • Label: MCA Records
  • Formats: Vinyl
59884298
1988Baby Doll EP
  • Label: Enigma
  • Formats: 12-inch vinyl, CD
Disco Dancer EP
  • Label: Enigma
  • Formats: 12-inch vinyl, CD, Mini CD
1990Post Post-Modern Man EP
  • Label: Enigma
  • Formats: CD Maxi-Single
2008Watch Us Work It
  • Label: MVD
  • Formats: 12-inch vinyl
  • Vinyl release of the downloadable single.
2010Song Study EP
  • Label: Warner Bros.
  • Formats: Digital download
2011What We Do: Electro-Devo Remix Cornucopia – EP
  • Label: Warner Bros.
  • Formats: Digital download
"—" denotes releases that did not chart.

Singles

YearTitlePeak chart positionsCertificationsAlbum/EP
US
[18] [19]
US Dance
AUS
[20]
CAN
NZ
UK
1977"Mongoloid"align=left rowspan="3"B Stiff (EP)
"(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction"9841
1978"Be Stiff"71
"Jocko Homo"62align=left rowspan="2"Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo!
"Come Back Jonee"60
1979"The Day My Baby Gave Me a Surprize"
b/w "Penetration in the Centrefold" (non-album track)
align=left rowspan="2"Duty Now for the Future
"Secret Agent Man"
1980"Girl U Want"align=left rowspan="3"Freedom of Choice
"Whip It"14877111151
  • RIAA: Platinum
  • MC: Gold
"Freedom of Choice"10371
1981"Working in the Coal Mine"433020178Heavy Metal (soundtrack)
"Beautiful World"1021415New Traditionalists
"Through Being Cool"10732
1982"Jerkin' Back 'n' Forth"[21]
b/w "Mecha-Mania Boy" (non-album track)
"Peek-a-Boo!"1061345Oh, NoIt's Devo
"That's Good"1046
1983"Theme from Doctor Detroit"5950884298Doctor Detroit (soundtrack)
1984"Are U Experienced?"align=left rowspan="3"Shout
1985"Here to Go"40
"Shout"
1988"Disco Dancer"45align=left rowspan="2"Total Devo
"Baby Doll"
1990"Post Post-Modern Man"26align=left rowspan="2"Smooth Noodle Maps
"Stuck in a Loop"--
2007"Watch Us Work It"align=left rowspan="3"Something for Everybody
2009"Don't Shoot (I'm a Man)"
2010"Fresh"
Greetings from Akron, Ohio (Split 7-inch with The Black Keys)
Devo track is "Human Rocket"
non-album single
"—" denotes releases that did not chart.

Other releases

This section is intended to be a compendium of the many properly released tracks that Devo has recorded for TV and film soundtracks, video games and various artists compilation albums, as well as rare remixes and other oddities. It does not list any of the tracks that appeared on proper studio albums and singles, nor any tracks from collections of previously unreleased songs (such as the Hardcore Devo compilations) or illicit bootleg releases.

YearTitleSourceNotes
1979"Flimsy Wrap"7-inch flexi-disc included with UK picture disc copies of Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo!Segment of a radio DJ talking during a set break of the band's 11/10/78 concert at the Old Waldorf, San Francisco, California
"It Takes a Worried Man" (AKA: "Worried Man Blues")A cover of the folk song by the Carter Family, from the film Human Highway
1981"Uncontrollable Urge" (Live)Urgh! A Music War: The AlbumRecorded live at the California Theater, San Diego, CA, August 20, 1980
1982"That's Good" (Extended Version)"That's Good" promotional 12-inch singleArtificially extended mix using "cut and paste" techniques
"Speed Racer" (Extended Version)"That's Good" promotional 12-inch singleArtificially extended mix using "cut and paste" techniques
1983"Luv-Luv"Songs from the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Doctor Detroit
"That's Good (Extended Edit)"Disconet Program Service Volume 5 Program 9, Disconet Mix, 1983Mixed By Valapucci
1985"Let's Talk"Fright Night

Original Motion Picture Soundtrack.

Reissued on
Pioneers Who Got Scalped: The Anthology.

1986"Bread and Butter"9½ Weeks: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack.

Reissued on Pioneers Who Got Scalped: The Anthology.
A cover of the song by the Newbeats
1987"I Wouldn't Do That to You"Pioneers Who Got Scalped: The AnthologyFrom the film Happy Hour
"Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini"Pioneers Who Got Scalped: The AnthologyA cover of the song by Brian Hyland, from the film
1988"Bush Whacked"Recombo DNA1979 session outtake jam. 7-inch flexi-disc included with Volume 1, Issue 6 of Reflex Magazine in August 1988. An extended version (labeled "Prosthetic Version") was issued on Recombo DNA.
"Baby Doll (Sung in Swedish)"Tapeheads: Music from the Original Motion Picture SoundtrackAlternate version of "Baby Doll" from Total Devo
1993"Whip It" (HMS & M Mix)Remixed by Psychoslaphead
1995"Are You Ready?!"Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: the Movie - Music From and Inspired by the Motion Picture
"Girl U Want" (Remake)Tank Girl: Music From the Motion Picture SoundtrackBased on the cover by Soundgarden
"Part of You"Infinite Zero CD reissue of Oh, No! It's DevoPreviously unreleased 1982 session outtake from Oh, No! It's Devo
1996"Supercop"Supercop: Music From and Inspired by the Dimension Motion Picture
"Head Like a Hole"Supercop

Music From and Inspired by the Dimension Motion Picture.

Reissued on
Pioneers Who Got Scalped: The Anthology.

A cover of the song by Nine Inch Nails
"Theme From Adventures of the Smart Patrol"Music From Adventures of the Smart PatrolA studio version of an instrumental track played by Devo at the beginning of concerts on their New Traditionalists tour. Recorded for the Inscape PC CD-ROM game Adventures of the Smart Patrol under the name "The Smart Patrol".
"That's What He Said"Music From Adventures of the Smart PatrolRecorded for the Inscape PC CD-ROM game Adventures of the Smart Patrol under the name "The Smart Patrol".
"U Got Me Bugged" (Alternate Vocal Mix)Music From Adventures of the Smart PatrolDemo recorded in 1975 and released in 1991 on Hardcore Devo: Vol. 2. Overdubbed for the Inscape PC CD-ROM game Adventures of the Smart Patrol.
1997"Thanks to You"Pioneers Who Got Scalped: The AnthologyFrom the film Meet Wally Sparks
"Communication Break-up"Pioneers Who Got Scalped: The AnthologyFrom the film Meet Wally Sparks
1998"Huboon Stomp"A studio version of a very early Devo song that had only been performed live
"Witch Doctor"The Rugrats Movie: Music From the Motion PictureA cover of the song by Ross Bagdasarian Sr.
1999"One Dumb Thing"Pioneers Who Got Scalped: The Anthology1982 session outtake from Oh, No! It's Devo. Restored, remixed and completed for the PC CD-ROM game Interstate '82.
"Faster and Faster"Recombo DNA1982 session outtake from Oh, No! It's Devo. Restored, remixed and completed for the PC CD-ROM game Interstate '82.
"Modern Life"Recombo DNA1982 session outtake from Oh, No! It's Devo. Restored, remixed and completed for the PC CD-ROM game Interstate '82.
2000"The Words Get Stuck in My Throat"Pioneers Who Got Scalped: The AnthologyStudio version of a song sung by Booji Boy and often played live on the early tours. The song originates from the 1966 Japanese sci-fi film War of the Gargantuas.
2001"It's All Good"Digital downloadOriginally released as a flash animation on Shockwave, credited to "Big Dirty Farmers". No longer available, but audio circulates as bootleg.
2002"Ohio"A cover of the song by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, chronicling the events of the Kent State massacre of 1970. (Devo members Mark Mothersbaugh and Gerald Casale have often cited this event as the catalyst for the creation of Devo.)
2003"Go Monkey Go"Heroes & Villains: Music Inspired by the Powerpuff GirlsA song written for the character Mojo Jojo and appearing in bumpers for the Cartoon Network
2004"Whip It" (Philip Steir & Ramin Sakurai Remix)The Cornerstone Player 0612 CD/1 DVD promotional set for the film Hustle & Flow.
2006"Girl U Want" (Black Light Odyssey Mix)Future Retro
2009"Red Shark"Digital-only "Devo Demo Bundle" for fans who purchased concert ticketsC. 1979–1980 demo version of "It's Not Right"
"Merry Something to You"YouTube videoReleased December 2009. Video set to stills of Mark Mothersbaugh artwork. Later released on 2010 compilation Gift Wrapped II: Snowed In.
2012"Monsterman"Monster Man TV series.
Reissued on Something Else for Everybody.
Theme song for the Syfy series Monster Man.
"Don't Roof Rack Me, Bro! (Seamus Unleashed)"Digital downloadSong poking fun at the scandal involving Mitt Romney's former dog, Seamus, being strapped to the roof of the family's car in a dog carrier.
"Don't Roof Rack Me, Bro (Remember Seamus)" [Remix]Digital download
2022"Empire"Good Music to Ensure Safe Abortion Access to AllBy David Byrne and Devo. Part of a various artists compilation album made available for only 24 hours on Bandcamp, with all proceeds going to Abortion Care Network, Brigid Alliance and Noise for Now.[22]

Filmography

Video releases

Film appearances

TV appearances

References

General

Specific

Notes

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Various Artists - We Are Not Devo . Prato . Greg . . November 18, 2022.
  2. [{{Allmusic|class=artist|id=p4080|pure_url=yes}} Devo Chart History: ''Billboard'' 200 ]. . June 29, 2020.
  3. Web site: Search – RPM – Library and Archives Canada. collectionscanada.gc.ca. March 2, 2013. October 4, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20121004071412/http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-100.01-e.php?PHPSESSID=q7a8kho0gp0ecl1bcihne0pto6. live.
  4. Web site: charts.nz – Discography Devo . © 2006–2010 Hung Medien / hitparade.ch. . June 4, 2010 . December 2, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181202204102/https://charts.nz/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Devo . live .
  5. Warwick, 2004. p.320
  6. Web site: Official Charts > Devo. The Official UK Charts Company. December 29, 2015. January 18, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160118075037/http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/16832/devo/. live.
  7. Web site: Album Certification . RIAA . June 22, 2008 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20070626050454/http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?table=SEARCH . June 26, 2007 .
  8. Web site: Q: ARE WE NOT MEN? NO WE ARE DEVO BPI certification. June 22, 2008. British Phonographic Industry. https://web.archive.org/web/20080220133205/http://www.bpi.co.uk/platinum/platinumRight.asp?rq=search_plat. February 20, 2008. dead. mdy-all.
  9. Web site: CRIA Searchable Database . . June 23, 2008 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090412081617/http://www.cria.ca/cert_db_search.php . April 12, 2009 .
  10. Web site: Chart Log UK: Asher D – Dyverse . Zobbel.de . January 5, 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20151019075638/http://www.zobbel.de/cluk/CLUK_D.HTM . October 19, 2015 .
  11. Web site: DEVO "Live 1981 Seattle" 2-LP Set: Record Store Day . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160418181941/http://clubdevo.com/index.php/news/item/2835-devo-live-1981-seattle-2-lp-set-release-in-april . April 18, 2016 . November 18, 2022 . Club Devo.
  12. Web site: Devo to release 'New Traditionalists: Live 1981 Seattle' on CD with 2 bonus tracks . . April 1, 2013 . November 18, 2022.
  13. Web site: Devo - Live At Max's Kansas City--November 15, 1977 . . November 18, 2022.
  14. Web site: Devo - Butch Devo and the Sundance Gig . . November 18, 2022.
  15. News: . en-GB . 2023-08-19 . 2023-08-20 . 1756-3224 . 'We were once paid $50 to quit': new wave heroes Devo on boos, Bowie and retiring after 50 years . Daniel Dylan . Wray . Music.
  16. Warwick, 2004. p.320
  17. Web site: Photo and blurb on Devo-Obsesso website . December 2, 2010 . July 9, 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110709020051/http://devo-obsesso.com/html/7in-pgs/main/mechman-blu.html . live .
  18. Devo Chart History: Hot 100 . . June 29, 2020 . June 29, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200629202133/https://www.billboard.com/music/Devo/chart-history/HSI . live .
  19. Whitburn, Joel. Bubbling Under Singles & Albums (1998): 64
  20. Book: Kent, David. David Kent (historian). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. Australian Chart Book. St Ives, N.S.W.. 1993. 88. 0-646-11917-6.
  21. Book: Gimarc, George. Punk Diary: The Ultimate Trainspotter's Guide to Underground Rock, 1970-1982. 2005. Hal Leonard Corporation. 978-0-87930-848-3. en. November 26, 2020. November 5, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211105154542/https://books.google.com/books?id=4WM6Cb1z-PwC&q=Jerkin%27+Back+%27n%27+Forth+45cat&pg=PA709. live.
  22. Web site: Good Music To Ensure Safe Abortion Access To All Compilation Available For One Day Only . Brodsky . Rachel . October 7, 2022 . . September 11, 2023.
  23. Web site: Ultra DEVO-Lux Ltd. Edition Package . Pilmer . Michael . Devo-Obsesso . November 18, 2022.
  24. Web site: GOLF Films' "Chi Chi & Devo" Premieres Thursday, Dec. 19 at 9 p.m. ET . Golf Channel Public Relations . . December 17, 2019 . November 18, 2022.